1996 Plymouth Voyager Lack of Heat, likely related to actua

Tiny
PROBE111
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 218,000 MILES
·Plymouth Voyager 1996 3.3litre, HVAC with two temperature controls for driver and passenger.
· Problem may have started when I replaced the door/trap actuator under glove compartment (was clicking every time the car was started or temp control changed). At the time, I did start the engine in order to have voltage to the actuator I was holding in my hand. The intent was to align the moving arm in the same position of the previous actuator. In many instruction caution statement, this is often mentioned not to do so or the actuator will become out of calibration. Would calibration resolved this issue?
· No LED flashing on HVAC from panel upon ignition cycle. I understand that this mean there are no Level 1 code present.
· Did numerous Diagnostic tests and when completed only got the RearWiper LED blinking once, and no blinking from the Intermittent LED. It appears that this mean that the diag test result shows that calibration is completed and system is OK.
· By depressing on the Washer button, I change the diag level and got the following reading on the Intermittent LED. I also took some action as suggested below (excerpt from another Web site):
o Level 2 – fast flashing. Moved Mode selector from panel to defrost to panel. Flashing speed decreased then increased as expected.
o Level 3 – regular flashing. Moved temperature levers (two together) from Cold to hot to Cold. Flashing increased then decreased as expected. Note that when levers were moved individually, the Driver lever change in temperature did not affect the flashing speed. Is this an issue?
o Level 4 – 4 blinks, pause then 7 blinks. In some literature, it is suggested that blinking before and after the pause determine tenth and units, such as error code 47. Is this a fact? In today’s test, I got 3 blinks, a pause and 6 blinks. Is this Code 36? I did not warm up the car today for the test. Temperature outside today is about –3degreesC or 25degreesF.
o Level 5 - regular/fast flashing. I moved the temperature controls towards the heat just for curiosity. The driver lever triggered an increasing flashing rate while the passenger level did not create any changes in flashing rate.

(instruction excerpt from another post on this Web site)
IN-VEHICLE CALIBRATION 1. Mode and blend door calibration compensates for mechanical differences in actuators, heater unit and its linkages. In-vehicle calibration is entered using switches and buttons on Heat Vent Air Conditioner (HVAC) front panel. If rear wiper and intermittent LEDs flash simultaneously when ignition is turned on, actuators have not been calibrated or a previous calibration failure occurred. Diagnostics will always occur during calibration. 2. To enter calibration/diagnostics test, set parking brake. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. With engine idling, turn blower switch to high. Turn mode switch to panel (air comes from instrument panel outlets). Move temperature lever to full cold. Press and hold rear wash and wiper buttons for 5 seconds (until all LEDs illuminate). Rear wiper and intermittent button LEDs will flash alternately during calibration test. 3. After approximately 60 seconds, if only wiper button LED is flashing, calibration is successful and system is okay. If wiper and intermittent LEDs are flashing, see DIAGNOSTICS under TROUBLESHOOTING for diagnostic procedures. 4. To exit calibration/diagnostics test at any time, press rear wiper button or cycle ignition off and then on. Test will automatically terminate 15 minutes after calibration/diagnostics is entered. TROUBLE SHOOTING DIAGNOSTICS 1. If wiper and intermittent LEDs are flashing simultaneously, perform calibration test. See IN- VEHICLE CALIBRATION under ADJUSTMENTS. If wiper and intermittent LEDs are flashing alternately, level one codes are present. Wiper LED indicates display level. Each time wash button is pressed, display will cycle to next level. 2. One flash indicates fail codes. A 2-flash sequence indicates mode potentiometer test. A 3-flash sequence indicates blend potentiometer test. Intermittent LED indicates failure code (level 1) or potentiometer position (level 2 or 3). See FAILURE CODE VALUES table. 3. Temperature and mode potentiometers can be tested after calibration is complete by pressing wash button and cycling to level 2 or 3 as displayed by wiper LED. Press wash button once, wiper LED will begin a 2-flash sequence. Move mode selector switch from panel to defrost. Intermittent LED flash rate should decrease. Move mode selector switch from defrost to panel. Intermittent LED flash rate should increase. 4. Press wash button again, wiper LED will begin a 3-flash sequence. Move temperature selector lever from cold to hot. Intermittent LED flash rate should increase. Move temperature selector lever from hot to cold. Intermittent LED flash rate should decrease. NOTE: Whenever heater control panel, heater unit, doors or door actuators are replaced, actuator calibration/diagnostics test must be performed. WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and follow all SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING and ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM procedures in AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in the ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section.
(end of excerpt)

So the following questions remain:
· Why did the calibration process not resolve the uncalibrated actuator?
· Should the test on the temperature control on the Driver side (Level 3) allow the flashing to increase then decrease?
· For Diag test Level 4 – Is there a code 47? And Code 36?
· If the actuator is fine, why don’t have I enough heat when the temperature of the motor is fine, the heat to the radiator is fine, the new engine thermostat that was just replaced works as well as the previous one?
Please advise. Francis

29 Dec 09 Update. May have the solution.
I decided to go back to basics and went to see my garage mechanic this morning to ensure that the two hoses to the heat core are at the same temperature after running the car for a while. The temperature was quite different. It appears that the flow is limited and the heat core needs to be first cleaned with CLR. If that is successful then may be all will be resolved; otherwise the heat core itself may be the issue. I will update tomorrow.
Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 1:07 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,230 POSTS
I am so sorry your post was missed. One of the most common problems is exactly what you experienced, the heater core. I'm glad you got it taken care of and apologize again. This normally doesn't happen.

I wish you and your family a great new year.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2009 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,230 POSTS
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com
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Monday, January 4th, 2010 AT 12:32 PM

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